ADVERTISEMENT

"CODA" has won best picture at the 94th Academy Awards but it's not what people are talking about after the ceremony.

The center of attention is the physical altercation between Will Smith and Chris Rock that took place after the comedian made a joke about Will's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

When the actor returned to his seat, he threw a tirade of f words at Rock who was visibly stunned by the exchange, but managed to keep it professional and continued on with his presentation.

The incident baffled the audience and viewers alike, and many are trying to figure out if it was part of the show or not.

Watch the exact moment Will Smith went on stage to smack Chris Rock for making a joke about his wife

Image credits: REUTERS

After the awards show ended, the Academy of Motion Pictures issued a statement on Twitter

Image credits: TheAcademy

#1

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

AdrianLGreen Report

Add photo comments
POST
llsewer avatar
Jaguarundi
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

During Ketanji Brown Jackson's Supreme Court confirmation hearing, her husband, Dr. Patrick Graves Jackson, gave her his full support and quietly comforted her. Like a good man should. They both demonstrated grace under pressure during this harrowing process.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Reportedly, the conflict was not staged nor was it part of the show. It occurred after Rock pointed out Jada Pinkett Smith in the crowd and said, "Jada, I love ya. G.I. Jane 2, can't wait to see it," referring to her bald head.

At first, Will Smith appeared to be laughing but Jada, who was diagnosed with alopecia in 2018 and has been vocal about her struggles about not being able to grow her hair, rolled her eyes at the joke and Will then walked up to Rock on stage and smacked him.

#3

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

JoeListComedy Report

Add photo comments
POST
wandiledludlu avatar
Sum Guy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or, that's how you've been conditioned to react when someone is making fun of you in a public setting, no matter if you agree with it or not... but when he saw his wife, his actual feeling came out

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#4

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

j0_mAmA Report

Add photo comments
POST
hawkmoon avatar
Hawkmoon
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you watch the start of the video, initial reaction of Smith was laughing, while his wife was clearly not. Ressorting to violence just after laughing, worse walking quietly to your target and then out of nowhere punching him, is not "the heat of the moment"

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#5

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

mariashriver Report

Add photo comments
POST
jmscargill avatar
Scagsy
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If anyone did that in any decent theatre they would be forcefully ejected on to the street. Unless it was staged. The audience numbers have been falling for some time. Surely, Hollywood would not be so cynical. Or would they?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

About 40 minutes later, Smith won the Academy Award for best actor for his performance in King Richard, the father of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams. He referenced the moment while accepting it.

ADVERTISEMENT

"Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family," Smith said.

"I've been called on in my life to love people and to protect people, and to be a river to my people. I know to do what we do, you got to be able to take abuse. And have people talk crazy about you. People disrespect you and smile like it's OK."

#6

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

nhannahjones Report

Add photo comments
POST
raroararoa avatar
RaroaRaroa
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Security should have been called to escort him out. They would have in a less privileged environment.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#8

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

PapaCJ Report

Add photo comments
POST
peter_93 avatar
Péter Rózsahegyi
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The guy who makes a joke on somebody's illness is not a comedian but an insensitive jerk.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

Mandy moore Report

Add photo comments
POST
r_searle avatar
RadiatorAnkleSpider
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think the whole culture of award show hosts is vile and toxic. They are paid to stand up there and roast unsuspecting celebrities…

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

"I wanna apologize to the academy, I wanna apologize to all my fellow nominees," Smith said with tears in his eyes during his Oscar speech.

He did not, however, mention Rock's name in his apology.

#10

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

therealtbee Report

Add photo comments
POST
alanna-elric avatar
Alanna Elric
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Tasteless joke" You can condemn Will Smith's actions without downplaying how inappropriate and cruel the joke was.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#11

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

thesunshinekey Report

Add photo comments
POST
master_minds9_1 avatar
DennyS (denzoren)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean, Harvey Weinstien (i honestly don't care how his name is spelt) used to sit and get thanked constantly while being an absolute scum of a human....so not so strange from Hollywood's elitist.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

The Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement that they are aware of the incident and that Rock had declined to file a police report.

"If the involved party desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report," the police explained.

#14

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

ConanOBrien Report

Add photo comments
POST
nuritcohen avatar
nurit Cohen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't make jokes about it or Will Smith might take offense and hit you

View more commentsArrow down menu
#15

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

robreiner Report

Add photo comments
POST
wandiledludlu avatar
Sum Guy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And Chris rock owes Jada an apology for making fun of her sickness. That's why Chris isn't filling any charges, he knows he f****d up

stienbabe avatar
Becky Samuel
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm glad the justice system doesn't work like the US one here in the UK. Here, it's not the victim's decision whether charges get pressed or not - the police hand their evidence over to the Crown Protection Service and they decide whether they have a case to bring or not. We all saw the offence being committed with our own eyes, why should someone get away with that?

Load More Replies...
alanna-elric avatar
Alanna Elric
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Chris Rock owes Jada an apology too. Everyone who laughed at her illness being a punchline owes her one

izabelawilson avatar
Izabela Wilson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nobody is right here. And Rock doesn't deserve an apology either. Both assholes

vivienne-mariehintzen avatar
Vivienne-Marie Hintzen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe Chris rock isn't filing a report because he recognised what a jackass he was ? Talking about Will Smith having to apologize to Chris Rock What about Chris Rock apologizing to Jada Smith ?

jevanderwerf avatar
LuckyNumbers
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So every comedian ever who has been insulting should apologize? That's a very sad day for comedy.

Load More Replies...
sybilrsj avatar
Sybil Johnson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Jada put her condition out there, just like she did her 'entanglement'. If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. Will had NO RIGHT to SLAP Mr. Rock, it's fine for will voice his displeasure but not okay to be violent. will smith is now relegated to tom cruise in my book, I will no longer pay to watch his movies. I've lost so much respect for him and jada is just trash. She still has not supported her husband but posted some BS about healing. Everybody just stop. If jada was so touchy about her alopecia she should have worn a head wrap or a wig. Get over it already. No, will should not be deprived of his stupid statute, but just like that slap was public, his apology to Chris Rock should also be public. Will needs to go find that little boy jada had the entanglement with and slap him ... oh but he won't do that because he'll get his butt righteously kicked. They both need to go home and stay there for a while. This is jada's fault. She's emasculated will.

usuarioqualquer avatar
usuario qualquer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She has all the right to be open about her struggles and be respected at the same time. "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen" suits Chris Rock perfectly. He shouldn't play with others feelings.

Load More Replies...
peter_93 avatar
Péter Rózsahegyi
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All right, Will Smith should have left the room right away, not celebrate himself. But why doesn’t anyone mention how colossal a*****e Chris Rock was and what pain he caused to Jada and Will Smith, all their relatives and friends who are worried about Jada’s health?

tasha_mwah avatar
Tash
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A lot of people are mentioning it and a lot of people think Will's ANGER was totally justified. His VIOLENCE however, was not.

Load More Replies...
angelajohnson0407 avatar
A
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The police saw the crime. Why are they not arresting him? It's not a personal decision to "file charges". It's not he said, she said. There's proof of a crime. The rich and famous in the US have a very different justice system.

cpope avatar
usuarioqualquer avatar
usuario qualquer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, everybody on the internet is superior, zen, spiritual and brave too, why Rob Reiner would be different?

Load More Replies...
usuarioqualquer avatar
usuario qualquer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Chris Rock owes Jada an apology, or better yet, many apologies because he has making fun of her for a long time now. There is no excuse for verbal abuse. The excuses you and others are making for CR behavior are no better.

bobstanden_1 avatar
Bob Standen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

t was a set up by both of them. Rock knows what is going to happen, he has his hands behind his back and leans forward to cop the open handed (pulled) slap. The Oscars were tanking for ratings, this got 50% more viewers. We all miss Ricky Gervais he's the best.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

SophiaBush Report

Add photo comments
POST
freshganesh avatar
Marco Hub-Dub
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We need a discourse on what is appropriate in comedy jokes. Rock has been going after her and all the Smiths incessantly. Making fun of Shumer for stealing jokes is edgy comedy. Making fun of an auto-immune disease or any body/health issue may eventually require a slap upside the head. Especially when more appropriate requests to stop have fallen on deaf ears. Will shouldn’t have done it to us viewers and the Oscars, but probably should have given the weasel a wake up call earlier on his harassment campaign. And what happened to CR? He used to be funny on his early stand up days. Now he’s a commercial actor or product shucker & tells weak sauce jokes. He’s worse than the comedians booked to perform on Disney cruises.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Later, Smith said actor Denzel Washington pulled him aside after the incident, telling him, "At your highest moment, be careful, that's when the devil comes for you."

Meanwhile, Smith's son Jaden tweeted, "And That's How We Do It."

#18

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

TheDollyRae Report

Add photo comments
POST
shellipl avatar
Shelli LotusFlower
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean, this horrible event did show the world that Nicole Kidman’s face can move.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#20

😅
#memes #willsmith #oscars #chrisrock #funnymemes #jokes #comedy #sarcasm

extreme.memesz Report

Add photo comments
POST
kimitomminello avatar
Kimi Tomminello
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

🤣 yup, that's all I've seen this morning. These exact 2 pictures.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#23

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

Nliech Report

Add photo comments
POST
dundun avatar
DUN DUN (she/her)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can see his entire life, career flashing before his eyes in this meme

View more commentsArrow down menu
#25

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

PopeRidiculamIV Report

Add photo comments
POST
vickyz avatar
Vicky Z
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know that the votes were already there but he shouldn't be awarded yesterday! They should give it to the second runner up! We shouldn't approve those behaviours and the production of the awards should have better reflexes in these situations

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#27

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

Report

Add photo comments
POST
kimitomminello avatar
Kimi Tomminello
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This- nobody cares anymore. Rich actors congratulating other rich actors for being rich actors is not something a lot of people enjoy anymore.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#30

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

MarkHamill Report

Add photo comments
POST
cj_kelly_miramar avatar
CJ Kelly
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think he handled it pretty freaking well. Besides not apologizing to Jada for being out of line...

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#32

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

ghyter7 Report

Add photo comments
POST
mwangim62 avatar
Rijkærd
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

JayZ be like...I got 99 problems but a slap from Will Smith aint one of them...

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#40

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

Omerta_Dion_3 Report

Add photo comments
POST
pattycakes77 avatar
Pattycakes 77
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

After seeing that slap I can't help but keep replaying that Dave Chappelle skit with Charlie Murphy and Rick James in my head.

View more commentsArrow down menu

Note: this post originally had 60 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.